noun

mainframe

MAYN-fraym

Mainframe (noun) means a large, powerful computer used by big organizations to handle huge volumes of data and many users at once. Example: “The bank still runs its core transactions on an old mainframe.”

noun

A large, powerful computer used by big organizations to handle huge volumes of data and many users at once.

"The bank still runs its core transactions on an old mainframe."

How to use mainframe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA big central computer built for heavy, continuous workloads, as opposed to a desktop PC or server.

Easily confused with

supercomputer →

Common pairings

run on a mainframe mainframe computer legacy mainframe

Word forms

mainframes plural

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The bank still runs its core transactions on an old _____.

Etymology

From main + frame.

Synonyms

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processor CPU C.P.U. central processor mainframe computer central processing unit

Related words

processor CPU

Rhymes for mainframe

name came game dame same fame tame lame flame blame frame shame

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Frequently asked questions

What does “mainframe” mean?

The word “mainframe” means a large, powerful computer used by big organizations to handle huge volumes of data and many users at once. In plain terms, a big central computer built for heavy, continuous workloads, as opposed to a desktop PC or server.

How do you pronounce “mainframe”?

“Mainframe” is pronounced MAYN-fraym (/ˈmeɪnˌfɹeɪm/ in IPA).

How do you use “mainframe” in a sentence?

Here is “mainframe” used in a sentence: “The bank still runs its core transactions on an old mainframe.”

What part of speech is “mainframe”?

“Mainframe” is a noun.

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